cheaper alternative to Sudafed for nasal congestion?

andromedean

Is there a cheaper non-branded form of Phenylephrine -than Sudafed?

ceb1995

I'm afraid I've never come across a generic version of phenylepherine on its own , it is possible a combined cold and flu combination could be cheaper or a generic decongestant spray though.

FBaby

I believe Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Boots do. It might a slightly different name, but same thing.

Do be very careful not to take long term. It can lead to constant nasal blocking, and can have some effect on heart rate etc... if taken long term. Thought I'd mention just in case!

iammumtoone

Yes you can (boots). Although it was a few years ago I brought it hopefully they still stock it, you have to ask at the pharmacy counter.

I never pay for expensive decongestant/cold and flu tables.

Upsidedown_Bear

Tesco, Morrison's and Sainsbury's do some.

Sainsbury's, Asda and Wilko both do some that also have caffeine and paracetamol.

Other supermarkets of your choice may also sell them.

andromedean

Are the supermarket tablets specifically for congestion with Phenylephrine as the only active ingredient?
I know it's easy to find drugs mixed with Paracetamol and Caffeine as a general cold type relief drug for about a tenth of the price
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/boots-price-comparison/Medicine/Boots_Max_Strength_Sinus_Relief_Capsules_16.html

This Boots one seems to be specific, but just as expensive as Sudafed.
http://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-decongestant-tablets-12-tablets-10174509

I suppose you have to work out how much is in each capsule and how many tablets in the pack as well.
the second one here looks a bit cheaper
http://www.dimec.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=decongestant

andromedean

This seems to be the sort of thing I was after, but only available on prescription!

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/pseudoephedrine-120mg-modified-release-tablets

Lorian

Pseduoephedrine works much better for me. You can get it at any pharmacist (including supermarkets) but only by asking for it directly, you wont find it on the shelf. You can only buy one box at a time.

Still quite expensive, but at least its very effective.

Asking for "The red Sudafed tablets" works. Avoids asking directly for pseudoephedrine and makes me look less like I want to manufacture meth

andromedean

Ah you really mean that! Now I understand why it's restricted and relatively expensive!

http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/content/restriction-sale-pseudoephedrine-and-ephedrine-products